A Beginner’s Guide to Exploring New York City

The Best Apartments in New York

Looking for apartments in New York City was traditionally a daunting task, but luckily ApartmentSearch has made that process a lot easier. With the ability to search by budget, amenities, management company, and more, narrowing down your options is simple. However, in a city as monstrous as the Big A, there’s an extra layer of decision-making involved; it’s all about which borough you want to call home.

If you’re looking for the classic New York experience, stick to the island of Manhattan. Though it might be expensive, you’ll be right in the center of all the action. While affordable apartment living can be found in the lower half of the island, you may want to consider going uptown to Harlem for cheaper options. If you’re looking for a hipper, younger, less-expensive vibe, you may also want to consider moving to Brooklyn. This borough is bustling with new businesses and creative types, and is perfect for young adults.

Transportation in the Big Apple

For actors and business people alike, the subway system is the easiest mode of transportation for the majority of New Yorkers. (For example, even though Manhattan is only 13 miles long and 2 miles wide the traffic is notoriously congested - and good luck finding a parking spot.) The subway system consists of 24 different lines, all of which connect between boroughs, so if you’re commuting from Brooklyn you’ll be going under the Hudson river to get to Manhattan in a matter of minutes. The longest you’ll ever have to wait for a train is about 20 minutes, and they run at all hours of the day.

When it comes to other methods of transportation, it’s also worth noting that New York receives a Walk Score of 88 (out of 100), a Transit Score of 81, and a Bike Score of 65. Neighborhoods that have top scores in all 3 categories are Chinatown, Little Italy, NoHo, NoLita, and Union Square.

What to Do in New York City

This is the city that never sleeps, so it’ll be tough to keep up with everything. For starters, every New Yorker has to visit all of the landmarks - the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, Broadway, the Museum of Modern Art, etc. Once you’ve tackled all of the touristy stuff, you’ll probably be hungry. Try Katz’s Deli - the restaurant where the famous When Harry Met Sally was filmed - for a monstrous corned beef on rye, or grab a melty slice of pepperoni at Joe’s Pizza. If you’re in a rush, grab a delicious street dog from Nathan’s, but don’t forget to stop for some dessert at Magnolia Bakery. After dinner, head to the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater - founded by comedian Amy Poehler - for original improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy. Go up to Yankee Stadium for a game, or head to 30 Rock to catch a taping of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Maybe even go down to the Blue Note to have a drink and watch some of the world’s foremost jazz musicians perform.